QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB

THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2025
 
 

WEATHER –Fine
TRACK RATING –Good 4
RAIL - Out 4 metres -1,000 to Winning Post; + 2 metres for the remainder.
PENETROMETER – 5.45

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S Nosworthy (Cadet)
Stewards – R Neal; D Griffiths; K Dean and P Warren.

GENERAL

Stewards approved the following overweight’s:
 
Race 3. C. Meehan – (BRAND NEW (NZ)) +1.0kg
Race 3. S. Cormack – (POLITICAL POWER) +1.0kg
Race 6. S. Cormack – (DEVIL KICK) +1.0kg
Race 6. A. Sewell – (REGGIE’S BOY) +0.5kg
Race 6. J. Stanley – (MOOLOOABA (NZ) +1.0kg
Race 7. S. Cormack – (SPONTANEOUS CHOICE) - +0.5kg

Race 1: LADBROKES RACING CLUB QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE 1000 M
BATTLEKATT – Jumped out at the start hampering SECRET SKYFALL. Raced keenly in the middle stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality.
RAFF VADER – Proved difficult to load. Shifted in marginally passing the 100 metres.
SECRET CYPHER – Began awkwardly then shifted out. Restrained off heels passing the 450 metres and was taken wider to obtain clear running near the 300 metres.
SECRET SKYFALL – Tightened on jumping and lost ground. Lost contact with the field in the early stages and was not persevered with thereafter. Rider Jackson Murphy stated that after being tightened at the start the gelding had, despite his efforts, failed to extend, and it was his opinion that something may be amiss with SECRET SKYFALL. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality. Trainer Mr Matthew McGuire was advised that SECRET SKYFALL must trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards prior to next racing.
SMALL TOWN HUSSLER – Travelled 3-wide throughout.
ACCEPT POWER – Raced 4-wide throughout. Raced greenly when entering the final straight. Shifted out abruptly passing the 250 metres hampering FILLYDELPHIA MISS which was badly hampered. Raced in restricted room approaching the post. Jockey W. D’Avila was advised to exercise greater care when in similar circumstances.
BUILT DIFFERENT – Jumped in at the start and tightened SECRET SKYFALL.
CASCIA – Bumped after the start. Improved onto heels passing the 500 metres and had to be steadied. Held up in the early and middle part of the final straight and passing the 100 metres had to be steadied when RAFF VADER shifted in marginally. Was unable to be fully tested over the concluding stages.
FILLYDELPHIA MISS – Began awkwardly. Badly hampered near the 250 metres.
MINXY – Raced wide with cover throughout.
ROYAL PROPHECY – Hampered near the 200 metres when ACCEPT POWER shifted in.
Race 2: LADBROKES BLACKBOOK QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE 1200 M
MR GIGILO – Laid out shortly after jumping away.
MARCH MADNESS – Contacted the barriers on jumping. Held up momentarily rounding the home turn.
TSUNAMI – Inclined to lay in over the concluding stages.
LOOMING LEGEND – Bumped at the start and lost ground.
RAFFY'S GIRL – Began very awkwardly then shifted out bumping with LOOMING LEGEND losing ground.
SHEEZ BRUTAFUL – Over-raced for a short distance passing the 900 metres. Commenced to lay in passing the 600 metres and could not be ridden to full advantage over the concluding stages.
Race 3: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 6 MARCH @ CLUDEN PARK BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1609 M

MORDECAI – Slow to leave the barriers and settled back. Held up for a short distance passing the 400 metres. When questioned on the performance, rider Justin Stanley stated that after getting back in the early stages the gelding had then been unsuited by the slow tempo, and by also by being badly held up when awkwardly placed on the heels of the leader (POLITICAL POWER) which yielded ground quickly in the early part of the final straight. Mr Stanley added that once in clear running MORDECAI finished the race off well.
NINE CARATS – Bounded on jumping and settled well back. Stewards questioned Apprentice Ms. Brooke Johnson, in the presence of Riding Master Carl Spry, regarding the mare losing ground in the early stages and settling detached from the field. In explanation Ms. Johnson stated that while her intention was to get back from a wide draw, the mare had then, despite her efforts, struggled to stay in contact with the field.
SHE'S REWARDING – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
BRAND NEW (NZ) – Co-Trainer Trevor Rowe was fined $100.00 under the provisions of AR106(2) in that BRAND NEW (NZ) was presented to race with the incorrect gear. Held up momentarily rounding the home turn. Shifted ground out passing the 150 metres to continue to improve.
Race 4: NORTHERN ENERGY GROUP BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1200 M
ANDY – Raced wide throughout.  
BRING ME FLOWERS – Slow into stride. Raced wide in the middle stages.
TEN SCHILLING – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn.
ILZOOMYA – Stewards questioned rider Tyler Leslight regarding his riding action rounding the final turn where his right elbow was extended immediately prior to SPIRIT OF GIVING improving to his inside. In explanation, Rider Leslight, with the assistance of Riding Master Carl Spry, stated that when making the turn his mount was laying out and in response, he extended his arm to correct this tendency. Stewards noted Mr. Leslight’s explanation and accepted that while there was no ill intent with respect to his riding on this occasion, he was firmly reminded to ensure that, at all times, his riding does not give rise to query.
SPIRIT OF GIVING – Bumped with YELLOWSTONE BETH shortly after the start. Held up rounding the home turn before shifting away from the heels of WIN AND TONIC passing the 350 metres to gain clear running. Rider Justin Stanley reported that gelding had felt flat throughout and may not have backed up from racing recently (20th February).
YELLOWSTONE BETH – Began awkwardly then bumped with SPIRIT OF GIVING shortly after the start. Held up for clear running from rounding the home turn up to a point passing the 200 metres, before shifting to the inside of TEN SCHILLING. Rider Jackson Murphy reported that the mare hung out throughout proving difficult to control.
Race 5: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP 1000 M
 
ROWEINER'S DANCE – Blundered on jumping away however recovered quickly to settle on pace.
FODOR – Laid out when placed under pressure in the final straight. Stewards noted rider Ryan Wiggins exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+1) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken.
FAMILY STAR – Inclined to lay in over the final 300 metres and near the 150 metres shifted in and bumped with CROWNING MOMENT.
CROWNING MOMENT – Bumped on jumping away. Laid out under pressure over the final 300 metres.
RIGEL STAR – Raced wide early stages. Compounded over the latter stages and finished back. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality.
Race 6: HYGAIN OPEN HANDICAP 1300 M

NORTHERN PRIDE – Dipped on jumping away. Shifted ground out rounding the home turn. Stewards questioned rider Gabrielle Semmens regarding her decision to improve ground out rounding the final turn when a run appeared to be available near the rail. In explanation Ms. Semmens, assisted by Riding Master Carl Spry, stated that while a run had existed to the inside of SWEET KISSES for a short distance passing the 500 metres, she had elected to wait for one finishing run, as in her opinion this best suited the horse’s abilities today.
DEVIL KICK – Over-raced in the middle stages. Held up rounding the home turn. Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
MISS SEATTLE – Slow into stride. Raced 3-wide in the middle stages. Returned to the enclosure with a blood present in the hoof region and a resultant post-race veterinary examination revealed a minor coronet injury.
SWEET KISSES – Jumped out at the start contacting the hind quarters of REGGIES BOY unbalancing rider Jackson Murphy for a short distance.
CASTILE – Lost the near-front and near hind plates during the running.
REGGIE'S BOY – Tightened on jumping away when runners either side shifted ground. Over-raced passing the 1000 metres.
MYSTERY 'N' MAGIC – Began awkwardly and raced greenly throughout.
MOOLOOLABA (NZ) – Over-raced in the middle stages. Raced greenly over the concluding stages.
LOVE ON SUNDAY – Jumped in at the start and bumped with REGGIES BOY.
Race 7: MITAVITE RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1200 M

KIDSTON – Held up throughout the final straight and was unable to be tested by its rider.
ANOTHER JACK – Began awkwardly. Steadied off heels near the 600 metres. Contacted the rail approaching the winning post. Stewards noted rider Olivia Kendal exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+1) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken.
PLATINUM FIELD – Raced wide with cover in the middle stages. Shifted wider after rounding the final turn to gain clear running.
HE GOES BOOM – Held up for a short distance rounding the final turn before being taken wider to obtain clear running.
PELSAERT (NZ) – Bounded on jumping.
CRAICARO – Had to alter course inwards to obtain clear running passing the 250 metres.
LET'S RIDE – Raced wide throughout.
EXCITE CHOO – Bumped at the start. Held up for a short distance passing the 200 metres.
SPONTANEOUS CHOICE – Jumped out at the start. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages and near the 600 metres had to be steadied off heels, and in doing so came back onto ANOTHER JACK which had to steady in consequence. Stewards questioned Trainer Mr Alex Malliff regarding the improved performance of race winner SPONTANEOUS CHOICE which had finished well back in recent starts. In explanation Mr Malliff stated that despite the gelding working well at home, its raceday performances in recent times had been disappointing. Mr Malliff added that his instructions to rider Sean Cormack were to ride positively today, this proving advantageous. Mr Malliff’s explanation was noted.
FAST MISSILE – Raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination revealed lameness in the right-hind fetlock. Trainer Jeff Caught was advised that the gelding would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
WEMYSS – Held up in the early part of the straight before having to steady away from heels near the 150 metres. Altered course inwards shortly after to gain clear running.

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Nil
Fines
Race 3. Co-Trainer Trevor Rowe – $100.00 – AR106(2) – Presenting horse to the mounting yard with incorrect gear.
Suspensions
Nil
Race day injuries/illness
Nil
Absent jockeys
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
BATTLEKATT, DOLLSON, ROWEINER’S DANCE, NORTHERN PRIDE, WEMYSS
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 1. SECRET SKYFALL – must trial satisfactorily.
Race 7. FAST MISSILE – Veterinary clearance required.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Nil
 
The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to external review.  The Racing Appeals Panel manages external reviews, and the Racing Appeals Panel publishes its decisions on its website.

This report and the Stewards Comments for this meeting may be amended at any time, at the sole discretion of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards as races are reviewed.